Honda is recalling select 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles due to a missing piece in the front seat belt pretensioners, which could increase injury risks during a crash. According to notices published by Honda and the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration earlier this week, the pretensioners — which tighten seat belts in place upon impact — may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. This means that passengers may not be properly restrained in a crash, regulators said.
Quick Read
- Reason for Recall: Honda is recalling select 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V models due to an issue with the front seat belt pretensioners, which are missing a crucial piece.
- Issue with Pretensioners: The pretensioners, which are designed to tighten seat belts upon impact, may lack the rivet securing the quick connector and wire plate. This defect could result in passengers not being properly restrained during a crash.
- Scope of Recall: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall potentially affects over 300,000 Accords and HR-Vs.
- Warranty Claims and Safety Reports: As of November 16, Honda had received seven warranty claims related to this issue but no reports of injuries or deaths.
- Remedy for Consumers: Dealers will inspect the cars and, if necessary, replace the seat belt pretensioner assembly at no cost. Consumers who have already paid for these repairs may be eligible for reimbursement.
- Extent of Replacement Needed: Honda estimates that less than 1% of the potentially affected vehicles will actually require a replacement.
- Notification to Vehicle Owners: Registered owners of the affected vehicles will receive notification letters by mail starting January 8, 2024.
- Availability of Replacement Parts: Replacement parts are expected to be available to dealers by the end of the month, but owners can go for an inspection at an authorized Honda dealer now.
- Further Information: Consumers can find more information about the recall on the NHTSA and Honda’s online recall pages.
The Associated Press has the story:
Honda recalls select Accords and HR-Vs over missing piece in seat belt pretensioners
Newslooks- NEW YORK (AP)
Honda is recalling select 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles due to a missing piece in the front seat belt pretensioners, which could increase injury risks during a crash.
According to notices published by Honda and the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration earlier this week, the pretensioners — which tighten seat belts in place upon impact — may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. This means that passengers may not be properly restrained in a crash, regulators said.
The NHSTA credited the issue to an error made during assembly. More than 300,000 Accords and HR-Vs are potentially affected.
As of Nov. 16, Honda had received seven warranty claims, but no reports of injuries or deaths related to the faulty pretensioners, according to documents published by the NHSTA.
For consumers impacted by this recall, dealers will inspect all cars and potentially replace the seat belt pretensioner assembly at no cost. Those who have already paid for these repairs at their own expense may also be eligible for reimbursement.
Honda estimates that less than 1% of the potentially affected vehicles will require a replacement. The vast majority are expected to be satisfied by an inspection alone, a Honda spokesperson told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Notification letters will are set to be sent via mail to registered owners of the affected vehicles starting Jan. 8, 2024. Replacement parts should to be available to dealers by the end of the month, the spokesperson said, but consumers can go to an authorized Honda dealer for the inspection now.
For more information about the recall, consumers can visit the NHSTA and Honda’s and online recall pages.
